DevOps Engineer Salary by State 2025
Average DevOps engineer salaries across all 50 US states, ranked from highest to lowest. Data reflects total compensation including base salary and bonuses. Updated March 2025.
Top-Paying States for DevOps Engineers
Location remains one of the strongest predictors of DevOps compensation in the United States. Tech hub states pay 40 to 80 percent more than the national median. However, remote work has shifted the calculus: a DevOps engineer employed by a California company but living in Texas can earn California rates while spending at Texas cost-of-living levels.
| State | Average Salary | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| California | $165,000 | $230,000+ |
| Washington | $158,000 | $220,000+ |
| New York | $152,000 | $215,000+ |
| Massachusetts | $148,000 | $205,000+ |
| Colorado | $138,000 | $190,000+ |
| Virginia | $135,000 | $185,000+ |
| Texas | $130,000 | $185,000+ |
| Illinois | $128,000 | $178,000+ |
| Georgia | $123,000 | $170,000+ |
| Oregon | $132,000 | $182,000+ |
Mid-Range States
| State | Average Salary | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | $118,000 | $162,000+ |
| North Carolina | $116,000 | $158,000+ |
| Minnesota | $118,000 | $160,000+ |
| Michigan | $112,000 | $152,000+ |
| Ohio | $108,000 | $148,000+ |
| Pennsylvania | $113,000 | $155,000+ |
| Arizona | $120,000 | $165,000+ |
| Tennessee | $105,000 | $145,000+ |
| Indiana | $100,000 | $138,000+ |
| Wisconsin | $105,000 | $142,000+ |
Lower-Cost States
| State | Average Salary | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $98,000 | $135,000+ |
| Kansas | $95,000 | $130,000+ |
| Iowa | $92,000 | $126,000+ |
| Nebraska | $93,000 | $128,000+ |
| Oklahoma | $91,000 | $124,000+ |
| Alabama | $90,000 | $122,000+ |
| Mississippi | $82,000 | $112,000+ |
| West Virginia | $80,000 | $110,000+ |
| Arkansas | $84,000 | $115,000+ |
| South Dakota | $85,000 | $116,000+ |
What Drives State-Level Salary Differences?
The gap between California ($165K average) and Mississippi ($82K average) is driven by several compounding factors. Cost of living accounts for some of the difference, but not all of it. California DevOps engineers earn more even on an adjusted basis because of the concentration of high-revenue technology companies, intense competition for talent, and a culture of equity compensation.
States with large government contractor presence, particularly Virginia, Maryland, and Colorado, pay well for DevOps talent with security clearances. TS/SCI cleared DevOps engineers in the DC metro area can command $160,000 to $200,000 even without the big-tech brand affiliation that drives California compensation.
Remote work has started to compress state salary differentials. A growing share of DevOps jobs are listed as remote, and employers at the high end (FAANG and equivalent) often pay a single national rate rather than adjusting for geography. This means where you live matters less than who you work for, and the state-level averages include both remote-first companies and locally-anchored employers.
Use the calculator on the homepage to estimate your specific salary range accounting for your state, experience level, certifications, and specialisation. State location is a useful benchmark but your individual package will depend on all these factors combined.